The Rock Hole

A Red River Mystery

De: Reavis Z. Wortham

Narrado por: Traber Burns

It’s a whole other country out there.

In 1964, when Ned Parker, farmer and part-time constable, is summoned to a cornfield one hot morning to examine the remains of a tortured bird dog, he discovers that there is a dark presence in their quiet community of Center Springs, Texas. Ned is usually confident handling moonshiners, drunks, and instances of domestic dispute. But when it comes to animal atrocities—which then turn to murder—the investigation spins beyond his abilities.

Ned combines forces with John Washington, a well-known black deputy sheriff from nearby Paris, Texas, to track down a disturbed individual who has become a threat to their small community.

As the case takes a dizzying series of twists and brings forth eccentric characters as well as several dead ends, Ned’s cranky friend, Judge O. C. Rains, is forced to contact the FBI. Then, sinister warnings that his family has been targeted by the killer lead Ned to the startling discovery that he knows the murderer very well. After the failed abduction of his precocious grandchildren, Top and Pepper, the old lawman becomes judge and jury to end what has become a murder spree in the Red River bottomlands. And it signals the end of an era in Center Springs.

In bald-headed, pot-bellied Ned Parker, Wortham has created an authentic American hero reminiscent of the best heroes and antiheroes in a story that blends country humor with heart-pounding suspense and ends with a stunning climax that may well shock our civilized sensibilities.

A Poisoned Pen Press Mystery

©2011 Reavis Z. Wortham (P)2011 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Mystery, humor, thrills, and great characters!!

THE ROCK HOLE is an usual combination of old time Texas humor and chilling thriller. The year is 1964, and these small communities are mostly segregated by white, black, and American Indians. Ned Parker is the white Constable, who is married to an Indian; best friends with the Black Deputy Sheriff, John Washington; uncle to Cody, a brave Vietnam war veteran; and forever friend of an old codger, Judge O. C.Rains. After a car crash killed his parents, ten year old Top, has come to live with his grandparents. Pepper, Top's ten year old tomboy cousin, spends most of her time at their house also.

Though a Constable, Ned really considers himself a farmer, who from time to time, finds himself dealing with drunks, bootleggers, and fighting families. But a new evil has entered his community. Someone is viciously mutilating animals, and he seems to be escalating his violence. The communities in Texas and near by Oklahoma are affected. The chase is on to catch this person who also seems to have a grudge against Ned and his family.

This story is populated by wonderfully fleshed out characters, with a feeling of story telling that reminds me of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and A TIME TO KILL. The atmospheric descriptions took me right back to the good and bad times of the 1960s. It reads like a combination of small town community, and good old fashioned westerns. Great mystery, but feels like literature at it's finest. Great start to this series!

Enjoyed it thoroughly

This book is set in 1960's , at a time when racial segregation and prejudices were commonplace, and told (partially) through a narrator recalling events of his childhood, and in that it reminded me of "To Kill a Mockingbird". The story is a chilling account of a small town in south USA terrorised by a series of brutal killings, and the lawmen who pursue the killer. Despite the gruesome subject, the story is narrated with sympathy and simplicity, and the characters are deep and touching. I can recommend this to anyone who likes a good mystery, an authentic feel of time and place, as well as well developed characters. However, the book contains descriptions of human and animal remains which may be upsetting to some. Personally, I found them a lot more moving than the mere description of violence would have been. I will be continuing with the series.

Nostalgic story behind hideous crime...

a story about growing up in a small Texas town..while trying to find the killer

Authentic, gripping, excellent

This tale made me feel like I was swinging on my grandparents front porch listening to my uncles talk about the local goings-on. While I like to listen to books for 30-45 minutes before falling asleep, this one kept me up into the night. Told by young Top in a most stark and clear manner, the unfolding of the whodunnit was riveting. Characters and speech patterns were so authentic, I felt they could be Arkansas kin.
Be prepared for some gruesome descriptions of the damage a madman can do to animals and humans while acting out the mental derangement. The stuff of nightmares was here.
Highly recommend.

Really a 2.9

This is well-written, has interesting characters and a fascinating time and setting. The story is a little weak. The narration is very good. I will read this other again.

Wow!

One of best mysteries/thrillers I have read in a long time. Narration was excellent. Very easy to keep the the characters straight. Very enjoyable read.

Gripping...

When I first started listening, I didn't think I would like it at all. The characters all drew me in. It was a great story.

Riveting without being gruesome

I was afraid that a story involving mutilated animals wouldn't appeal to me. Good thing I decided to give it a listen. The story, the characters, and the narration are outstanding. The descriptions of the atrocities were accurate without disgusting me. This book is the first in a long while that made me excited about listening to more of it. I can't wait to listen to the next in the series!

A Great Read

Wonderful story, extremely well developed characters and outstanding narration!!! I loved every minute of it!

Best Book I have listen to in a long time

Very good story and narrator was great!! Great book for 1960's history in the south